American Sign Language 101
Seattle Central Community College
Barb Bernstein Fant, Instructor

Gloss(es)

This is a term used in linguistics.  It means a label or name for a single word in one language that stands for the word in another language.  The French gloss for "cat", for example, is "le chat".  We say that the gloss for "cat" in French is "le chat".

A gloss may also mean an expression in one language which stands for an expression in another language.  For example, in English the expression, "to have an experience which is a first time for you but feels as if you had had it once before "already" is glossed in French by the words "deja vu".

When it comes to American Sign Language (ASL), glosses are always written in capitals.  (In this case, "gloss" is glossed by the sign LABEL).   The ASL gloss for "cat" is the sign CAT.  The English gloss for the ASL sign COW-IT is "to take a long time to do something, to drag something on forever; slowpoke".

Beginning learners of ASL run the dangerous risk of confusing glosses with meanings.  Remember that the gloss is simply the label we use to talk about a sign, it is not  always the meaning of a sign.  A sign such as FINISH has several meanings, so do not think it means simply "finish, ended, over".

Here is an example of where students can make the mistake of confusing a English gloss with the meaning or concept of an ASL sign.   Let's look at the English word,  RUN and how this word is used in various context.

English sentences using the word "RUN"                  ASL SIGN CONCEPT

1.  I run every day.                                                             1.  English gloss (label): RUN (to jog)

2.  My nose runs.                                                               2.  GLOSS: CL: 4 " runny nose"

3.  I run a business.                                                           3.  GLOSS:  MANAGE

4.  My car runs very well.                                                  4. GLOSS:  OPERATE / RUN

5. I run for Congress.                                                         5. GLOSS:  COMPETE / CAMPAIGN

Even though the English word "RUN" is used in several context, can you safely assume that the ASL sign  concept "RUN" as in the first example can be used again in sentences #2 - 5?  What is the ASL concept behind the meaning of the English word "RUN" in sentences #2 - 5?   Instructor will demonstrate.

Take note:  English glosses/labels do not  always equate meanings or concepts of ASL signs.